Pandemic forces local restaurants to adjust
With the current restrictions in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the restaurant industry has been hit hard and many have adjusted their business models to stay afloat during the pandemic.
Chris Drown, owner of the Happy Viking in Yuba City, said while his restaurant has not had to make many extreme changes yet, he knows it’s coming.
“It’s just me and the kitchen staff and I am out making deliveries,” said Drown.
Drown said the Happy Viking will continue to serve their full menu, for take out or delivery, until they start running out of certain items.
“We’ve had to cut back on what we order, but so far we still have everything,” said Drown. “When supplies start going down we will start reducing our menu options.”
Joe Ferrie, owner of the Silver Dollar Saloon in Marysville, said that while he had to lay off about 90 percent of his workforce due to the current restrictions, he continues to help support his employees in any way he can.
“We’re trying to provide for our employees as much as possible by making daily trips to Sam’s Club to get them what they need, toilet paper, diapers, food,” said Ferrie.
Ferrie said the Silver Dollar is also trying to support local Adventist Health/rideout workers during the pandemic by donating a chicken and tri-tip meal for each order that is placed over $40.
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The base’s housing has been unaffected by the COVID-19 situation, but families are being encouraged to implement social distancing and not gather in large groups. Clark said no lay-offs have occurred as a result of the pandemic.
“All our civilian workforce is either able to continue working as normal if they are considered essential personnel or have been granted the ability to telework to the max extent possible,” Clark said.
Beale has been in communication with county and state representatives and involved in local county meetings every other day to stay up to date on the latest with the virus in order to ensure the safety of the residents and base personnel, according to Clark. He said Beale is ready to support local county Emergency Operation Centers as needed.
“Beale is not waiting for COVID-19 to infect our base population as well as the local population surrounding the base,” Clark said. “We are doing everything in our power to combat COVID-19.”
The base has also changed its health protection condition which expands the precautionary steps taken on base to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In-person meetings are now must include six people or less or be done via video conference call or dial in. Visits by outside personnel have been canceled as well as nonmission critical temporary duty travel, according to John Schwab of Beale Public Affairs.
Starting on March 16 through May 11, permanent change of station assignments have been halted, no new domestic temporary duty travel is allowed, those on temporary duty travel can return to Beale, no non-local leave is permitted and those on non-local leave are directed to return to Beale.
Restrictions have been put in place regarding access to the commissary and Base Exchange, according to Beale’s website. These restrictions include 100 percent ID checks, limiting the amount of certain items that can be bought at once and limiting the number of people allowed in either building to allow for social distancing.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, only military members and their dependents will have access to the commissary and Base Exchange.
All personnel with normal access can use the facilities on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to the website.
General access to the base is being limited with entry access letters and base passes being given out on a limited basis.
Current letters and pass approvals are unaffected.
“These restrictions have been put in place to maintain positive quality of life standards for active duty members while still providing retirees access to the facilities they earned from their dedicated service,” a post on the website read.